Hitting the beach for Valentine’s Day? See the most romantic Florida beaches, and ones to avoid
(South Beach, Miami Beach: Image credit, Instagram)
If you want to hit one of the many Florida beaches available to you for Valentine’s Day – or any day – you should be apprised as to which beaches are the quieter and more romantic “hidden gems” to enjoy, either alone or with a partner. But if crowds and more touristy beaches are more your style, Ace News Today is sharing those with you too. The study, conducted by Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort, analyzed over 550 beaches across Florida’s coasts, tallying the total number of posts linked to the three most popular hashtags for each beach.
Florida’s Quietest Beaches
The Gulf Lakes Public Beach has received the least online attention, with only a couple of reported hashtags on Instagram. Situated in the small town of Santa Rosa Beach in Walton County, this secluded spot lies in the northwestern part of Florida. Despite its hidden nature, it is just a 20-minute drive from Baytowne Wharf. The coastline offers turquoise waters and experiences temperatures around 58°F in February.
Florida’s 10 Least Instagrammed Beaches (Quieter Beaches)
| Rank | Beach | County | Total Hashtag Count |
| 1 | Gulf Lakes Public Beach | Bay County | 3 |
| 2 | Groot’s Beach | Duval County | 6 |
| 3 | South Swim Beach | Monroe County | 13 |
| 4 | Charmed Beach | Walton County | 21 |
| 5 | Dickerson City Beach | Santa Rosa County | 22 |
| 6 | Green Street Beach | Broward County | 23 |
| 7 | Big Grass Island | Taylor County | 25 |
| 8 | Walton Dunes | Walton County | 26 |
| 9 | Klondike Beach | Brevard County | 29 |
| 10 | Virginia Forrest Beach | Martin County | 31 |
Groot’s Beach in Duval County, named after the Marvel character due to its tree root-like appearance, is the second quietest with just six hashtags on Instagram. South Swim Beach in Monroe County, located within Dry Tortugas National Park and known for its pristine white sand, ranks third with only 13 reported hashtags. Charmed Beach in Walton County, which stretches two miles and features powdery sand perfect for sunbathing, takes fourth place with 21 hashtags. Dickerson City Beach in Santa Rosa County, a secluded and narrow shoreline along Blackwater Bay, rounds out the top five with 22 hashtags.
Rounding off the top ten least Instagrammed beaches are Green Street Beach in Broward County with 23 hashtags, Big Grass Island in Taylor County with 25 hashtags, Walton Dunes in Walton County with 26 hashtags, Klondike Beach in Brevard County with 29 hashtags, and Virginia Forrest Beach in Martin County with 31 hashtags.
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Florida’s Most Touristy Beaches
Miami Beach’s South Beach has over 9.08 million hashtags on Instagram to prove its overwhelming popularity with tourists. Ocean Drive, stretching nearly 13,000 feet, is packed with some of the world’s best restaurants, luxury shopping, and stunning Art Deco architecture. The area’s inviting climate, with temperatures ranging from 63°F to 89°F and warm waters reaching up to 86°F in summer, draws hordes of visitors.
Florida’s 10 Most Instagrammed Beaches (Busier and More Touristy Beaches)
| Rank | Beach | County | Total Hashtag Count |
| 1 | South Beach (Miami Beach) | Miami-Dade County | 9,087,000 |
| 2 | Palm Beach | Palm Beach County | 6,213,000 |
| 3 | Clearwater Beach | Pinellas County | 1,792,000 |
| 4 | Daytona Beach | Volusia County | 1,638,000 |
| 5 | Panama City Beach | Bay County | 1,131,400 |
| 6 | Pompano Beach | Broward County | 1,120,900 |
| 7 | Sunny Isles Beach | Miami-Dade County | 1,097,000 |
| 8 | Vero Beach | Indian River County | 1,033,800 |
| 9 | Deerfield Beach | Broward County | 1,020,800 |
| 10 | Cocoa Beach | Brevard County | 975,800 |
Palm Beach in Palm Beach County ranks second with 6.21 million hashtags, with this region accumulating over 5.19 million visitors last year. Clearwater Beach in Pinellas County takes third place with 1.79 million hashtags, famous for its white sands and 4.5-star Tripadvisor rating. Daytona Beach in Volusia County follows with 1.63 million hashtags, known for its 23 miles of beach and proximity to Daytona International Speedway. Panama City Beach in Bay County rounds out the top five with 1.13 million hashtags, featuring state parks and thriving artificial reefs.
Rounding off the top ten busiest beaches are Pompano Beach in Broward County with 1.12 million hashtags, Sunny Isles Beach in Miami-Dade County with 1.09 million, Vero Beach in Indian River County with 1.03 million, Deerfield Beach in Broward County with 1.02 million, and Cocoa Beach in Brevard County with 975,800.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort said, “Online traction from Instagram has done more than just boost Florida’s tourism, as it has turned the Sunshine State’s beaches into must-visit destinations for travelers worldwide. From the sun-drenched shores of South Beach to the laid-back charm of Clearwater, Florida’s beaches are sparking wanderlust like never before.”
“The hidden gem beaches above are also not just places to relax, but additionally offer a lively and immersive experience. Each stretch of coastline offers its own unique vibe, from lively nightlife to a family-friendly atmosphere. As social media continues to shape travel trends, Florida’s beaches are at the forefront, capturing the attention of beach lovers and sun-seekers alike.”
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Florida’s 25 Most Instagrammed Beaches
| Rank | Beach | County | Total Hashtag Count |
| 1 | South Beach (Miami Beach) | Miami-Dade County | 9,087,000 |
| 2 | Palm Beach | Palm Beach County | 6,213,000 |
| 3 | Clearwater Beach | Pinellas County | 1,792,000 |
| 4 | Daytona Beach | Volusia County | 1,638,000 |
| 5 | Panama City Beach | Bay County | 1,131,400 |
| 6 | Pompano Beach | Broward County | 1,120,900 |
| 7 | Sunny Isles Beach | Miami-Dade County | 1,097,000 |
| 8 | Vero Beach | Indian River County | 1,033,800 |
| 9 | Deerfield Beach | Broward County | 1,020,800 |
| 10 | Cocoa Beach | Brevard County | 975,800 |
| 11 | Lake Worth Beach | Palm Beach County | 909,300 |
| 12 | Pensacola Beach | Escambia County | 801,900 |
| 13 | Fort Lauderdale Beach | Broward County | 622,710 |
| 14 | Las Olas Beach | Broward County | 609,700 |
| 15 | Hollywood Beach | Broward County | 497,500 |
| 16 | Ormond Beach | Volusia County | 484,400 |
| 17 | Rosemary Beach | Walton County | 481,010 |
| 18 | Longboat Key | Manatee County | 480,210 |
| 19 | Atlantic Beach | Duval County | 475,600 |
| 20 | Amelia Island State Park | Nassau County | 472,240 |
| 21 | Sanibel Island Northern Beach | Lee County | 470,970 |
| 22 | North Beach Park | St. Johns County | 467,470 |
| 23 | Fort Myers Beach | Lee County | 423,120 |
| 24 | Santa Rosa Beach | Walton County | 399,100 |
| 25 | Fort Walton Beach | Okaloosa County | 398,300 |
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Editor’s Note: This writer hasn’t visited every single Florida beach, so if you know of ones that you’d like to add to either the more romantic or the more touristy lists, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Happy Valentine’s Day
to all our readers from Ace News Today!
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(Sources: Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort per Instagram, Sandee, Tripadvisor)
(Cover photo: Gulf Lakes Public Beach, Bay County, FL, Image credit: Instagram)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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